March 26, 1985

When Donna Keyes's youngest child, 16-month-old Eugene, accidentally swallowed dishwashing detergent, she grabbed him and, leaving her two other children alone, dashed out into the rain to find a cab to the hospital. Mrs. Keyes, 25 years old, a single mother who lives on public assistance, did not have money to cover the cab fare. When she arrived at the hospital, she pretended that someone would be out to pay the driver, and then quickly disappeared inside, relieved that a confrontation had been avoided. Along with $194 in food stamps and a rent grant of $197, Mrs. Keyes receives a cash allowance of $246 each month to cover her family's other needs - such as transportation. But, like many others in her situation, she typically spends most of that allotment on food.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1985 International A U.S. Army major was fatally shot in East Germany by a Soviet guard near a Soviet military installation, American officials said. American sources said that the 37-year-old officer, Maj. Arthur D. Nicholson Jr., was shot in the chest Sunday as he was observing Soviet tank sheds. (Page A1, Column 6.) The killing of an Army major by a Soviet sentry in East Germany was ''totally unjustified,'' the United States said. (A4:1.)

Silvio O. Conte, an opponent of the MX missile, might lose an agricultural service office for his Congressional district. Stephen L. Neal, an MX supporter, got the White House to withdraw from a Republican advertising effort against House Democrats. And Representative Harold Rogers, another MX supporter, got the Reagan Administration to take note of his tobacco problem. These were the kinds of political pressures and rewards facing members of the House of Representatives as it began debate today on the Administration's request for 21 new MX missiles. With both sides wrestling for the few remaining uncommitted votes, vote counters said the outcome was likely to be very close when the full House votes on Tuesday. (Page A16.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1985 The Economy Far higher levels of hazardous materials are being emitted into the nation's air than suspected, according to a Congressional survey that will be released today. The survey of large chemical companies found thousands of tons of toxic materials being released from hundreds of factories, and the study's directors said there is no uniform standard for emissions of most of the substances. Representative Henry A. Waxman, who ordered the survey as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, promised legislation to create national standards. (Page A1.)

The General Electric Company expects to be indicted today on charges of defrauding the Government during work on a nuclear- warhead system, a company spokesman said. Jack Batty, a G.E. spokesman at the company's Fairfield, Conn. headquarters, said last night, ''Yes, we expect the indictment resulting from work done through our aerospace group. But while it is entirely possible that during the course of performing these multi- million dollar contracts charging errors did occur, there was no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the company or its employees.''